Method for manufacturing toothbrush and toothbrush manufactured by the method

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Aspects of the present invention relate to a method of manufacturing a toothbrush in which bristles are set in a toothbrush body without an anchor and a toothbrush manufactured by the method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, when a method used to fasten bristles to a head part of a toothbrush body uses an anchor made of metal, the bristles relatively easily fall out of the head part as compared to when an “anchorless method,” which does not require the use of an anchor, is used. Furthermore, when using the anchor, it is difficult to diversify the shape (length, thickness, color, etc.) of the bristles. Thus, most recent toothbrushes have been manufactured by the anchorless method.

A toothbrush manufactured by the anchorless method may include bristles, a planar head insert in which the bristles are set, and a toothbrush body which has a head part to which the head insert is coupled. The head insert has a plurality of setting holes and a plurality of bristles may be inserted into each setting hole. The operation of inserting the bristles into the setting hole typically includes inserting the lower parts of the bristles into the end of the setting hole using a heating apparatus, which corresponds to the upper surface of the head insert, such that the lower parts of the bristles are disposed on the lower surface of the head insert. Thereafter, the lower parts of the bristles are adhered to the head insert by fusing.

However, the anchorless method setting, which includes setting the bristles in each setting hole, has disadvantages including, for example, that it requires much time and labor when the setting the bristles in the each setting hole is conducted manually and that it cannot ensure the quality of the toothbrush.

To avoid these problems, an automatic system was recently proposed that was revealed to be complicated and very expensive. Moreover, the automatic system typically produces only one kind of toothbrush design. Hence, if a new toothbrush design is developed, part of or the entirety of the system must be changed, thus imposing a huge financial burden.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, a method of producing a bundle of bristles is provided and includes collecting a plurality of bristles substantially close together and fusing and subsequently hardening ends of the collected bristles to each other by cutting the ends of the collected bristles using a heated cutter to thus produce a bundle of bristles.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a toothbrush is provided and includes collecting a plurality of bristles substantially close together, cutting ends of the collected bristles using a heated cutter to thereby harden and fuse the cut ends of the collected bristles to each other to thus produce a bundle of bristles, cutting the fused bundle of bristles into a plurality of unit bundles of bristles having a predefined cross-sectional area corresponding to a setting hole of a toothbrush head insert, inserting parts of the bundle of bristles other than the fused parts thereof into the setting hole such that the fused parts of the bundle of bristles is disposed on a lower surface of the head insert, adhering the fused parts of the unit bundles of bristles to the head insert and coupling the head insert having the unit bundle of bristles fused thereto to a head part of the toothbrush.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a toothbrush is provided and includes inserting bristles into a setting hole of a toothbrush head insert such that lower parts of the bristles are disposed on a lower surface of the head insert, adhering the lower parts of the bristles to the lower surface of the head insert using a heating apparatus and coupling the head insert having the bristles fused thereto to a head part of the toothbrush, where the inserting comprises inserting the bristles into the setting hole through a jig having a guide hole corresponding to the setting hole.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a toothbrush is provided and includes inserting bristles into a setting hole of a toothbrush head insert such that lower parts of the bristles are disposed on a lower surface of the head insert, fastening the bristles to the head insert by application of adhesive to a lower surface of the head insert and a hardening of the adhesive and coupling the head insert having the bristles fastened thereto to a head part of the toothbrush.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a toothbrush is provided and includes bristles, which are cut and thereby fused to each other at similar respective ends thereof, and which are arranged in a bundle having a predefined cross-sectional area, a head insert formed to define an inserting hole having a lower surface recessed from an upper surface thereof in which the bristles are set with the respective ends of the bristles adhered to the inserting hole lower surface and a head part to which the head insert is coupled.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a toothbrush manufacturing method is provided and includes collecting bristles in a bundle thereof, each bristle having a first end to clean a user tooth and a second end opposite the first end, cutting the bundle proximate to the second ends using a heated cutter to thereby fuse the bristles, forming the bundle into a unit having a predefined cross-sectional shape, guiding the unit with the first ends leading the second ends into and through a setting hole formed in a head insert and having a shape corresponding to the unit cross-sectional shape such that the second ends align with a head insert recessed surface, adhering the second ends to the recessed surface and inserting the head insert into a toothbrush head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method of manufacturing a toothbrush;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a toothbrush manufactured by the method of manufacturing a toothbrush of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> with <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2(A)</figref> being a perspective view illustrating the entire toothbrush, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2(B)</figref> being a perspective view illustrating a head insert and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2(C)</figref> being a perspective view illustrating a head part;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 through 9</figref> are views showing the method of manufacturing a toothbrush with <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3(A</figref> and B) through <b>5</b> illustrating an operation of manufacturing bristles, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrating an operation of cutting bristles, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 and 8</figref> illustrating an operation of setting bristles in the head insert and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrating an operation of coupling a head insert to a head part of a toothbrush;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10(A</figref> and B) are perspective views showing another exemplary embodiment of a toothbrush; and

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11 and 12</figref> are views showing operations of setting bristles in head inserts having styles different from that of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another elements as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower,” can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a toothbrush. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the toothbrush manufacturing method includes a bristle bundle producing operation S<b>10</b>, a bristle cutting operation S<b>20</b>, a bristle setting operation S<b>30</b> and a head insert coupling operation S<b>40</b>. At operation S<b>10</b>, a bundle of bristles is produced by collecting bristles (referred to as the reference numeral <b>1</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>). At operation S<b>20</b>, the produced bundle of bristles (referred to as the reference numeral <b>5</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref>) is cut and divided into several unit bundles of bristles (referred to as the reference numeral <b>10</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 6</figref> through <b>9</b>) having desired cross-sections. At operation S<b>30</b>, the unit bundles of bristles are set in a head insert (referred to as the reference numeral <b>20</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 7</figref> through <b>9</b>). At operation S<b>40</b>, the head insert in which the bristles are set is coupled to a head part (referred to as the reference numeral <b>30</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 9</figref>) of a toothbrush body.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2(A-C)</figref> illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a toothbrush manufactured by the toothbrush manufacturing method according to the present invention. As shown, the toothbrush includes bristles which comprise the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b>, a planar head insert <b>20</b> in which the bristles are set and a toothbrush body which includes a head part <b>30</b> to which the head insert <b>20</b> is coupled.

The head insert <b>20</b> has a recess <b>22</b> in a lower surface thereof. The recess <b>22</b> has an area other than the perimeter of the lower surface of the head insert <b>20</b>. A plurality of setting holes <b>24</b> is formed in the recess <b>22</b>. The unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are respectively set in the setting holes <b>24</b>. In an exemplary embodiment, the setting holes <b>24</b> are substantially circular and have a same size, although additional exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and it is understood that the setting holes <b>24</b> may have other shapes and be variably sized. In an exemplary embodiment, the setting holes <b>24</b> may be formed spaced apart from each other at substantially regular intervals in the overall area of the recess <b>22</b>, although additional exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and it is understood that the spacing intervals may be regular or varied.

The head part <b>30</b> has a receiving depression <b>32</b> into which the head insert <b>20</b> is fitted such that the lower surface of the head insert <b>20</b> is disposed opposite to, e.g., faces, a bottom of the receiving depression <b>32</b>.

Bristle Bundle Producing Operation

As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the bristle bundle producing operation S<b>10</b> includes a bristle processing operation S<b>11</b>, a bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b> and a bristle adhering operation S<b>13</b>.

With reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, in the bristle processing operation S<b>11</b>, end points of the bristles <b>1</b> are processed by, for example, grinding or immersion treatment, such that when brushing the teeth of a user, tartar and plaque can be easily removed and injury to the users gums can be avoided or prevented. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates processed bristles <b>1</b> with <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3(A)</figref> showing a bristle <b>1</b> which is processed such that the end point thereof is rounded and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3(B)</figref> showing a bristle <b>1</b> which is processed such that the end point thereof is tapered.

With reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, in the bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b>, a plurality of bristles <b>1</b>, which have been processed through the bristle processing operation S<b>11</b> is collected and arranged together relatively neatly. Thereafter, a paper band <b>50</b> or some other suitable wrapper wraps the bristles <b>1</b> to tie up the bristles <b>1</b> such that they are close together.

In place of the paper band <b>50</b>, a tying frame having a hole or depression may be used to tie up the processed bristles <b>1</b>. When the tying frame is used, the bristles <b>1</b> are densely inserted into the hole or depression of the tying frame, which may allow the shape in which the bristles <b>1</b> are collected to be relatively easily set due to the fact that the shape is determined depending on the shape of the hole or the depression of the tying frame. As an example, if the hole or depression of the tying frame is circular, the collected bristles are also circular.

The bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b> may include a bristle arranging operation in which the collected bristles <b>1</b> are arranged such that the ends thereof form a predetermined shape. For example, the bristle arranging operation may be implemented in such a way that the lower parts of the collected bristles <b>1</b> are placed on a bristle arrangement plate, the upper surface of which has a predefined uneven shape, and the bristles <b>1</b> are pressed onto the bristle arrangement plate. The ends of the collected bristles <b>1</b> then become arranged in a similar shape as that of the upper surface of the bristle arrangement plate.

As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, at the bristle adhering operation S<b>13</b>, lower parts of the bristles <b>1</b> which have been collected at the bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b> are adhered together such that the collected bristles <b>1</b> form a bundle of bristles.

The process of adhering the lower parts of the bristles <b>1</b> includes cutting the lower parts of the bristles <b>1</b> using a cutter <b>60</b> which is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, using a cutter having a heating wire therein). When the collected bristles <b>1</b> are cut, the paper band <b>50</b> which maintains the collected state of the bristles <b>1</b>, is also cut along with the bristles <b>1</b>. The lower parts of the collected bristles <b>1</b> are melted by heat of the cutter <b>60</b> when they are cut and, subsequently, the lower parts of the collected bristles <b>1</b> are adhered together by hardening of the lower parts which have been melted.

As such, at the bristle adhering operation S<b>13</b>, a bundle of bristles <b>5</b> which is integrated by fusing of the lower parts of the bristles <b>1</b> is produced. Of course, if the bristle arranging operation was conducted at the bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b>, a bundle of bristles <b>5</b>, the ends of which are arranged in a special shape, is produced.

With reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, in the bristle cutting operation S<b>20</b>, the bundle of bristles <b>5</b> is divided into a plurality of unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> which have cross-sectional areas corresponding to those of the setting holes <b>24</b> of the head insert <b>20</b>. In an exemplary embodiment, a cutting tool <b>70</b> is used in the operation of dividing the bundle of bristles <b>5</b> into unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b>. The cutting tool <b>70</b> includes a worktable <b>72</b> and a plurality of cutters <b>74</b> which are arranged in a line on the upper surface of the worktable <b>72</b>.

The lower part of the bundle of bristles <b>5</b> is placed on the worktable <b>72</b> of the cutting tool <b>70</b> and pushed toward the cutters <b>74</b>. Thereby, the adhered lower part of the bundle of bristles <b>5</b> is cut by the cutters <b>74</b>, and the bundle of bristles <b>5</b> is thus divided into a plurality of bundles. Thereafter, the bundle of bristles <b>5</b> which has been divided into a plurality of bundles is rotated to about 90 degrees (°) and is cut once more in the same or a similar manner, thus forming several rectangular unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b>. The intervals at which the cutters <b>74</b> are spaced apart from each other are set such that the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> which are formed at the above-mentioned bristle cutting operation have cross-sectional areas corresponding to the areas of the setting holes <b>24</b>.

With reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>7</b> and <b>8</b>, the bristle setting operation S<b>30</b> includes a bristle insert operation S<b>31</b> and a bristle fastening operation S<b>32</b>.

With reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, in the bristle insert operation S<b>31</b>, the head insert <b>20</b> is placed on a bristle setting base <b>80</b> such that the upper surface of the head insert <b>20</b> is brought into contact with the bristle setting base <b>80</b> and the lower surface thereof faces upwards. Thereafter, a jig <b>85</b> is placed on the lower surface of the head insert <b>20</b>. The jig <b>85</b> has guide holes <b>86</b> which correspond in position to the setting holes <b>24</b> of the head insert <b>20</b> when the jig <b>85</b> is placed on the lower surface of the head insert <b>20</b>. An outlet end of the guide hole <b>86</b> (e.g., a lower end of the guide hole <b>86</b> shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>) faces the corresponding setting hole <b>24</b> which has a size equal to or slightly greater than the cross-sectional area of the adhered lower part of the unit bundle of bristles <b>10</b>. The cross-sectional area of the guide hole <b>86</b> is increased from the outlet end of the guide hole <b>86</b> to an inlet end thereof (e.g., an upper end of the guide hole <b>86</b> shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>).

The ends (opposite to the adhered lower part) of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are inserted into the inlet ends of the guide holes <b>86</b> and the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are respectively inserted through the guide holes <b>86</b> into the setting holes <b>24</b> corresponding to the guide holes <b>86</b>. The adhered lower parts of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are then disposed in the recess <b>22</b> of the head insert <b>20</b>. Here, because each guide hole <b>86</b> is configured such that the size of the inlet end thereof is enlarged, each unit bundle of bristles <b>10</b> can be relatively easily inserted into and through the corresponding guide hole <b>86</b>. Furthermore, the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b>, which are inserted into the corresponding guide holes <b>86</b>, can be relatively easily inserted into the corresponding setting holes <b>24</b> along the inner surfaces of the guide holes <b>86</b>. Therefore, the work of inserting the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> into the setting holes <b>24</b> can be relatively rapidly and precisely conducted. Following the inserting of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> into the setting holes <b>24</b>, the jig <b>85</b> is removed from the head insert <b>20</b>.

In the bristle fastening operation S<b>32</b> (refer to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>), an adhesive, e.g., thermoplastic resin R, in liquid form is charged into the recess <b>22</b> of the head insert <b>20</b> into which the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are inserted. After a predefined time period has passed, the adhesive, e.g., the thermoplastic resin R, which has been in liquid form and has been charged into the recess <b>22</b> of the head insert <b>20</b> is cured or hardened. As such, the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are fastened to the head insert <b>20</b>. Thus, the head insert <b>20</b>, the adhered lower parts of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> and the adhesive, e.g., the thermoplastic resin R are integrated together by the hardening of the adhesive, e.g., the thermoplastic resin R.

If a head insert <b>20</b> (refer to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>) having no recess <b>22</b> is used, the adhesive, e.g., thermoplastic resin R, may be applied to the lower surface of the head insert <b>20</b> to a predetermined thickness rather than charging the adhesive, e.g., thermoplastic resin R, into the head insert <b>20</b>.

The method of fastening the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> to the head insert <b>20</b> may also be implemented by inserting a heating apparatus, e.g., a heating plate, into the recess <b>22</b> of the head insert <b>20</b> and applying heat and pressure thereto such that the adhered lower parts of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are fused. In this case, when the fusing process is completed, the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are fastened to the head insert <b>20</b>.

With reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>2</b> and <b>9</b>, the head insert coupling operation S<b>40</b> will be described. The head insert <b>20</b>, which has passed through the bristle fastening operation S<b>30</b>, is fitted into the receiving depression <b>32</b> of the head part <b>30</b>. Thereafter, contact surfaces between the head insert <b>20</b> and the head part <b>30</b> are adhered to each other using, e.g., ultrasonic waves. The head insert <b>20</b> and the head part <b>30</b> may have the following structures to enhance the coupling force therebetween.

The receiving depression <b>32</b> of the head part <b>30</b> may have a predetermined size, e.g., a size appropriate to forcibly fit the head insert <b>20</b> thereinto. Furthermore, a coupling groove <b>34</b> may be formed in the receiving depression <b>32</b> of the head part <b>30</b> along the perimeter of the receiving depression <b>32</b> and a coupling protrusion <b>26</b> may be provided on the perimeter of the lower surface of the head insert <b>20</b>. The coupling protrusion <b>26</b> of the head insert <b>20</b> is fitted into the coupling groove <b>34</b> of the head part <b>30</b>. In an exemplary embodiment, the head insert <b>20</b> is forcibly fitted into the receiving depression <b>32</b> and, the coupling protrusion <b>26</b> is fitted into the coupling groove <b>34</b>. Therefore, the contact area and the contact strength between the head insert <b>20</b> and the head part <b>30</b> can be increased and, as a result, the coupling force between the head insert <b>20</b> and the head part <b>30</b> can be enhanced.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10(A</figref> and B) are perspective views showing other exemplary embodiments of a toothbrush manufactured by the toothbrush manufacturing methods described above. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, toothbrushes having various styles of bristles can be simply manufactured at low cost. Each toothbrush shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> may be manufactured by the above-mentioned methods or, alternatively, without the operations at which a bundle of bristles <b>5</b> having a predetermined cross-sectional area is produced and the bundle of bristles <b>5</b> are cut and divided into a plurality of unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b>. That is, at the bristle bundle producing operation S<b>10</b>, the toothbrush may be manufactured in such a way as that bundles of bristles having cross-sections corresponding to relative setting holes <b>24</b> are produced, the bundles of bristles are set in a head insert <b>20</b>, and the head insert <b>20</b> having the bundles of bristles is coupled to a head part <b>30</b> of a toothbrush body. Here, the typing frame which is stated in the description of the bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b> may be used at the operation of producing the bundles of bristles having cross-sections corresponding to relative setting holes <b>24</b>.

In this toothbrush manufacturing method, because the bundles of bristles, each lower part of which has an integrated structure, are set in the head insert <b>20</b>, the quality of the manufactured toothbrush can be substantially increased. In addition, the arrangement and shape of the bristles can be diversified. Particularly, at the bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b>, if bristles <b>1</b> having different properties, e.g., different thicknesses, colors, shapes, are collected, a toothbrush in which various kinds of bristles <b>1</b> are set in each setting hole <b>24</b> may be manufactured.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the operation of setting bristles in a head insert <b>20</b>A having a different style from that of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 7</figref> through <b>9</b>. Setting holes <b>24</b>A are formed through the head insert <b>20</b>A. Each setting hole <b>24</b>A is enlarged in size from a lower end thereof (when seen in the drawing) to an end thereof corresponding to the head part of the toothbrush. In the case of the setting hole <b>24</b>A having the above-mentioned shape, the enlarged portion thereof acts in a similar fashion as the guide hole <b>86</b> of the jig <b>85</b>. Therefore, where convenient, it is understood that the inserting of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> into the setting holes <b>24</b>A can be conducted without using the jig <b>85</b>. Furthermore, the adhered lower parts of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> which are inserted into the corresponding setting holes <b>24</b>A are seated into the enlarged portions of the setting holes <b>24</b>A. Thus, the force with which the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are fastened to the head insert <b>20</b>A can be further increased.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates still another exemplary embodiment of the operation of setting bristles in a head insert <b>20</b>B having another style. In the case of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, setting holes <b>24</b>B are formed through the head insert <b>20</b>B in directions that are inclined at predefined angles relative to one another and to the head insert <b>20</b>B. In detail, adjacent setting holes <b>24</b>B are inclined in directions opposite to each other. In the case where a toothbrush is manufactured using the head insert <b>20</b>B, bristles are arranged in a shape such that the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> inserted into the setting holes <b>24</b>B cross. For reference, in this embodiment, heating apparatus, e.g., heating plates, are used to fasten the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> to the head insert <b>20</b>B, although additional exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. That is, after the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> are inserted into the corresponding setting holes <b>24</b>B, heat and pressure are applied to the adhered lower parts of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> using the heating apparatus, e.g., the heating plate. Thereby, the adhered lower parts of the unit bundles of bristles <b>10</b> is fused to the lower surface of the head insert <b>20</b>.

The present invention should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

For instance, in the above description, although the bristle processing operation S<b>11</b> of the bristle bundle producing operation S<b>10</b> has been illustrated as being conducted before the bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b> is conducted, the bristle processing operation S<b>11</b> may be conducted after the bristle collecting operation S<b>12</b>. At an extreme, the bristle processing operation S<b>11</b> may be conducted as the last operation of the toothbrush manufacturing method. Furthermore, the method of inserting bristles into the head insert using the jig at the bristle insert operation S<b>31</b> of the bristle setting operation S<b>30</b> and the method of fastening the bristles to the head insert by coating the head insert with the adhesive, e.g., thermoplastic resin, at the bristle fastening operation S<b>32</b> may be used in a method in which bristles in the strand state are directly set in the head insert without producing a bundle form.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.